Former Barca boss Pep Guardiola has already begun the big task of rebuilding Manchester City with big-name players coming in and going out

But he missed in the shoot-out to sadly contribute to his side’s early exit..

The spot-kick miss is, however, unlikely to have dampened Guardiola’s love for the centre-back who he purred over in February and wants to bring to the Premier League.

While at Bayern Munich last season, after drawing with Bonucci’s Juve in a tense Champions League clash, the City boss said: “Did you really think we could come here and expect to dominate for 90 minutes against a side with Pogba, Mandzukic, Morata, Bonucci – one of my favourite ever players – Buffon and all these characters?”

RELATED STORIES:

Stones Peps Up

John Stones has told Everton he wants to join Pep Guardiola at Manchester City in a stunning £45m deal

Pep Culls Kol

Aleksandar Kolarov to leave Man City for £3m Besiktas switch as part of Pep Guardiola's shake-up

Be on guard

ALL CHANGE

Manchester City reveal new £101 Nike home kit at new manager Pep Guardiola's unveiling

IHEANACH-GO

Kelechi Iheanacho risks wrath of new Man City boss Pep Guardiola by putting country over club

Now, according to reports in Italy, City have lodged the mega-money bid but the Old Lady are having none of it.The Turin side already know they can cash in Manchester United target Pogba at any time and claim up to around £100million.

And they have already recruited majestic midfielder Miralem Pjanic for that possible eventuality.

That means they can afford to hang on to their brilliant defensive boss, the foundations on which five consecutive Scudetto titles have been built on.